Aviation Law

Just what is aviation Law?

Aviation law is the branch of law that concerns flight, air travel, and associated legal and business concerns. In many cases, aviation law is considered a matter of international law due to the nature of air travel. However, the business aspects of airlines and their regulation also fall under aviation law. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs applied aspects of flight. In the international realm, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provides general rules and mediates international concerns to an extent regarding aviation law. The ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

This highly specialized field of law encompasses most facets of air travel, as well as the operation and regulation of business issues relating to air travel, which requires a comprehensive knowledge of FAA regulations, specific laws regarding flight, and an in depth understanding of aviation. Aviation law pertains to nearly all individuals connected to the operation and maintenance of aircraft.The practice of Aviation law is a large area of the law. It can include but is not limited to litigation on behalf of families who are suffering from loss or injury due to an aircraft tragedy and the defense of an aviation professional accused of violating Federal Aviation Regulations. Most all aspects of aviation law fall under the oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

​ Although, air traffic regulation polices, laws and administrative agencies have been created by both federal and state government, with certain restrictions preventing states from regulating routes, services, or the rates of all air carriers authorized to provide interstate air transportation by the Federal Aviation Act. States may alter existing remedies and enact state laws consistent with federal mandate, though. Additionally, Federal law does not preempt state products liability law, and more often than not, in most defective product cases, aviation manufacturers may be held strictly liable.